Captain Roskill has long been recognised as the leading authority on The Royal Navy’s part in the Second World War. His official History (originally published for the HMSO) is unlikely even to be superceded. His narrative is highly readable and the analysis is clear. Roskill describes sea battles, convoy actions and the contribution made by technology in the shape of Asdic & Radar.'Contents: Chronological Summary of Principal Events; The Pacific and Indian Oceans 1st January -31st July 1942-The African Campaigns 1st January-31st July 1942-The Priority of Maritime Air Operations 1942-The Battle of the Atlantic. The Campaign in American Waters 1st January--31st July 1942-Home Waters and the Arctic 1st January -31st July 1942-Coastal Warfare 1st January-31st July 1942-Ocean Warfare 1st January-31st July 1942-The Battle of the Atlantic. The Second Campaign on the Convoy Routes 1st August-31st December 1942-The Pacific and Indian Oceans 1st August-31st December 1942-Coastal Warfare 1st August-31st December 1942-Ocean Warfare 1st August-31st December 1942-Home Waters and the Arctic 1st August-31st December 1942-The African Campaigns 1st August-31st December 1942-The Battle of the Atlantic. The Triumph of the Escorts 1st January-31st May 1943-Coastal Warfare 1st January-31st May1943-Home Waters and the Arctic1st January-31st May 1943-Ocean Warfare1st January-31st May1943-The Pacific and Indian Oceans 1st January-31st May 1943-The African Campaigns 1st January-31st May 1943 The Mediterranean Re-opened.

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See my review on Roskill's Volume 1. Used copy for £24 sounds not too bad. Though Roskill could not include "Ultra" and some of German records, and tells us little about such minor campaigns as Coastal Forces v E-Boats, he is excellent on the big ships, the major actions on the oceans, and of course the Battle of the Atlantic.The reader will appreciate that he was a key staff officer in the war, knew many of the admirals, and had access to then secret Admiralty files. No doubt he had his team of reseachers, but his history is still masterfully and lucidly written. It is worth about 3 of many books written by young authors in recent years, who were not born before Pound, Tovey, Cunnigham, Norton, Raeder, Iachino, Nagumo etc died. Not just an old codger comment; his text has a "feel" which theirs don't.

Given Roskill was actually head of Naval intelligence when he wrote the book its hard to claim that he did not have access to all the official records. He is VERY careful in not revealing his sources - he was clearly well informed about the operations of Bletchly Park - and was careful about not revealing that information.

Superb book or rather series of books, without equal, not just as a detailed and informed history, but also because of its literary style.

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3.0 out of 5 starsIt's a start

ByMatthew Teschon 29 December 2012 - Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

Every researcher of, and writer about, the naval history of WW2 will inevitably draw on Roskill's seminal official record at some point. What these volumes lack in battle-narrative detail they make up for in the jaw-dropping, broad-brush immensity of their coverage of the world's oceans, combatants and theatres of war - from a largely Royal Navy perspective. What these volumes lack in alternative perspectives has largely been balanced and refined by many other authors who have followed in Roskill's footsteps - usually with the benefit of not only greater hindsight but also better access to more and detailed, and once-restricted, records. This series will not provide all the 'flesh' we know today, but it remains an important 'skeleton' upon which to build interpretations and assessments.

I hesitate to give any stars to this English drivel however it was required so I could register a comment. This by far was the poorest $5.00 I ever invested in anything. Please don't waste your money or time on this.